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Volunteer

View our available volunteer opportunities to see where you can help.

Volunteers at the San Diego Rescue Mission are some of the warmest, kindest, most generous people we know.

Our volunteers provide valuable services to our clients. In return they receive the satisfaction of knowing they are personally helping homeless and poor people create positive, lasting change in their lives.

Please note that we are unable at this time to work with court-mandated volunteers.

Due to insurance restrictions, volunteers must be age 16 and older. Are you part of a youth group under this age? We welcome your help with donation drives for urgently needed material items and are very happy to provide a tour of the Mission so you can find out more about our work.

Debbie Krakauer

Group Projects

Here are more ideas for your group

Groups (corporate, church, school and others) are always welcome to help with our meal service, assisting in the warehouse, and helping with special events. Please call 619.819.1897 for other ideas or to schedule a specific date.

Groups of no more than 5 are welcome to serve lunch or dinner here on site.

Larger groups can schedule weekday morning shifts in our warehouse.

Not able to start volunteering immediately? Host a Drive (Urgent Needs, Food, or Hygiene Kits): You can hold a drive and collect needed items at your school, church, place of employment, community center, or neighborhoods-it’s an easy and very significant way to support the Rescue Mission! Thank you for doing your part to help the men, women and children here at the Mission.

Volunteer Process for Individuals

All volunteers, with the exception of those participating in a special event or one-time group volunteer opportunity MUST submit an application and go through an on-line background check process at an $18 cost to the individual. View the application here. Volunteers will then be invited to attend an orientation. Orientations will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. All sessions are from 5:00-6:30PM and space MUST be reserved ahead of time. For non-food service opportunities we ask a 3-6 month commitment, interview, orientation, application and background check. Please call the Volunteer Coordinator to start the process.

Due to the large interest in our volunteer program, volunteer needs and opportunities change monthly and may include:

Administrative Office

Children’s Center

Tutor/mentors needed to work with school age children Wednesday evenings 5:00-6:00PM. Background check/TB clearance/record of immunizations required.

Development Intern Needed

Development intern needed to assist the Development team in administrative and development tasks including: donor relations, data and research, gift acknowledgement, outreach and event planning. 6 month commitment. View the Position description here.

Easter Meal Outreach

Come join us Saturday, March 24 and help with outreach for our early Easter community meal. Volunteers will meet at the Rescue Mission at 8:30AM for a quick training, divide up in groups with flyers to walk the streets of downtown or Balboa Park and invite the homeless to our meal later that day. Great for individuals and groups. You’ll be done by 10:30AM. Free parking available. We’ll be open at 8:00AM for coffee/snacks before dividing up to walk. Sign up online here.

Thrift Store Volunters

Selling new and gently used items to the community helps fund life – changing programs at San Diego Rescue Mission. Help us keep the stores in a welcoming, inviting state for customers!

We need help with the following:

Helping customers shop

Colorizing and Sizing all clothing racks

Organizing items that get out of place

Merchandising assistance

Painting

Creating and Printing signs for displays

Carpet Cleaning – Window cleaning – Painting

Long term opportunities for individuals available and also one-time opportunities for groups. Volunteer hours available Monday – Saturdays 10AM – 5PM.

We are open for volunteers on Mondays – Friday’s from 1- 3 and Tuesdays and Thursdays any time from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Great project for work teams / Schools / Churches / Businesses. Opportunities also available Thursdays in 3 hours shifts between 9:00AM – 2:00PM. Teen groups welcome with minimum age of 16 and one adult per five teens.

Recuperative Care Unit

Dinner help weekdays at 4PM.

Women’s Transitional Housing

Help with dinner service daily 4:45-5:45

Transitional Housing

Breakfast help 5:45-7:30AM

Tutor

Are you available evenings/weekends? Basic computer tutor needed for two men in transitional housing!